Attendees play video games on the Nintendo 3DS at the Nintendo Wii U software showcase in Los Angeles. Photo: AP Photo

Nintendo Co. Ltd. is defending its decision to disallow same-sex relationships in its best-selling “Tomodachi Life” mobile game, after fans took to Twitter to urge the Japanese gaming giant to relax that restriction.

According to the fans, married characters in Nintendo’s social game gain access to in-game features denied to single ones.

“Nintendo never intended to make any form of social commentary with the launch of Tomodachi Life,” the company said in an emailed statement.

“The relationship options in the game represent a whimsical and playful alternate world rather than a real-life simulation. We are a games company first and foremost and our main objective is to create games and consoles for players to enjoy.”

Several well-known US games currently allow same-sex relationships, including The Sims and the role-playing game Skyrim.